Dr. Fabian Ihekweme Regains Freedom, Speaks on His Arrest, Detention, and Fight for Justice

Dr. Fabian Ihekweme, a prominent political figure in Imo State, has broken his silence following his controversial arrest and prolonged detention by the authorities. In a detailed statement, he recounted his ordeal, expressing gratitude to those who stood by him and reaffirming his commitment to fighting for the rights of the people of Imo State.

Ihekweme was arrested on November 27, 2024, by operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID) of the Nigerian Police in Owerri. He was forcefully transported by road to Owerri on what he describes as "framed-up charges" of seditious publications and incitement, allegedly orchestrated by a phantom group known as the Imo Democratic Alliance. The political activist revealed that even the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command had initially resisted the request to detain him, but the Imo State Police Command went ahead with the operation, leading to his 62-day incarceration without trial.

In a statement seen by Vice Reports, Dr. Ihekweme state: "I will never wish my worst enemy to encounter or experience half of the ordeal that I went through," Ihekweme stated. He described his arrest as politically motivated and highlighted the challenges he faced while in detention, including psychological trauma and threats to his life. His eventual release came after a court ruled that his detention was illegal, labeling it "barbaric." The court ordered his unconditional release and granted a perpetual injunction restraining the police or any government agency from further infringing on his rights.

Reflecting on the legal victory, Dr. Ihekweme expressed his gratitude to his supporters, legal team, and family, particularly his wife, whom he credited for giving him the strength to endure. "My gallant wife has proven to be more audacious and outspoken than Omu. Nwanyioma gave me the strength to survive and graduate from that school of death," he said.

The political activist reaffirmed his unwavering stance in the fight for justice, good governance, and the welfare of the people of Imo State. "I have been called names, dehumanized, and tortured for defending my people. But my determination to fight for the emancipation and freedom of my people is not negotiable and cannot be compromised. I will continue to defend Imo people till the last day of my life," he vowed.

Dr. Ihekweme further called on Imo citizens not to remain indifferent to the injustices in governance, warning that silence today could lead to greater suffering tomorrow. He maintained that his struggle was not just personal but a fight for the collective good of the people. "Anyone thinking that Omu has been silenced like others may have to reconsider. I am a man of justice and peace, and I do not hate. That is why God has continued to spare my life and put confusion in the camp of those after my life."

Below is his full statement:

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all of you especially those who celebrated me publicly and privately on my birthday. I thank Almighty God for adding yet another year to my life. I am grateful that am still alive today to be celebrated once again. This is the most memorable birthday of my life. And I dedicate today to the great people of Imo state who stood by me through their prayers, advocacy and support both privately and publicly during my travails in the hands of the authorities. I will never wish my worst enemy to encounter or experience half of the ordeal that I went through. But I thank our merciful God for sparing my life and for giving me another opportunity to mark my birthday once again. I can never take this privilege for granted and I believe it is for a good purpose.

I was arrested on the 27th of November 2024 by a detachment of State Intelligence Department of Nigerian Police Owerri and I was bundled by road to Owerri on framed up charges bordering on Seditious publications and inciting the public by a pseudo and phantom group called the Imo Democratic Alliance. Till date, no one has been able to confirm his or her membership of that group although as The Ancient Seer, I have already unmasked all of them and am grateful to their Alfa and Omega who made that possible. It is important to make this clear, that FCT Police Command was approached to release 20 operatives to facilitate my arrest and to bring me down to Owerri, but this request was declined, turned down and vehemently resisted by FCT Police Command, and this prompted the Authorities in Owerri to seek the services of Imo State Police Command through the SID unit to undertake the operation of coming into Abuja on the Orders of the authorities to carry out the deadly operation which led to my incarceration for 62 days in the police custody.

Fortunately for me, a Court of competent jurisdiction declared my arrest and subsequent detention as illegal and barbaric and hence, Ordered for my immediate and Unconditional release from the police custody. The Court further granted a Perpetual Injunction restraining The Inspector General of Police, The Nigerian Police Force, their authorized Agents by whatever name or body so called, from further disturbing or interfering with my rights to dignity of human person, liberty and freedom of movement by any further arrest, detention, intimidation and harassment or in any way infringing on my constitutional rights as guaranteed by law or from making any attempt capable of violating my rights as guaranteed under the constitution.

Everything that I passed through while in detention including the frameups, illegal detention for 62 days without trial and direct attempts to my life will still be determined by the Court of competent jurisdiction in terms claims and compensations. And of course, my own side of the whole episode will be heard and translated into a memoir someday.

I therefore, want to thank my friends, brothers, sisters, political associates and my team who stood by me throughout that turbulent period of trial and crisis that truamatised my entire family and my political friends. I am so grateful for your support and prayers. I cannot end this goodwill message without thanking my entire family especially my garlant wife who has proven to be more audacious and outspoken than Omu. Nwanyioma gave me the strength to survive and graduate from that school of death. I am grateful.

All my life, it has been my prayer for God to bless the people of Imo state with good leaders who can bring prosperity and lead the people out from the depth of poverty. I have been called names, dehumanised and tortured for defending my people and to the extent that I was terribly bruised for asking critical questions on governance and leadership in our state. But I know for sure, that the Ancient Seer is undaunted and unflinching and my determination to fight for the emancipation and freedom of my people is not negotiable and cannot be compromised. I will continue to defend Imo people till the last day of my life. Anyone thinking that Omu has been silenced like others, may have to reconsider wiping away such thoughts from his or her mind. I am a man of justice and peace and I do not hate. That's why God has continued to spare my life and put confusion in the camp of those after my life. I will continue to uphold the utmost truth and preach against injustice and recklessness in governance. Those who think that they are not directly affected now by the current lording of our people and decided to stay aloof, watching and abating the ruthlessness of the system unleashed against their fellow citizens by one man, may one day experience the same hammer falling on them by the same prophet. But for now, Omu needs justice and justice shall he get.

Fabian Ihekweme PhD